Binding Tutorial Part 1

As promised, here is the first in a series on how I go about making, attaching and finishing my binding. In this first installment I will be walking you through how I make my binding. Remember: there is no right or wrong way, sometimes just easier and smarter. Always do what works for you. And here we go…

Directions

1. Cut enough strips of fabric, 2-1/2” wide, to go all the way around your quilt. To figure out how much you need to go around your quilt, measure the top and one side, add together and multiply by 2. This is the perimeter of your quilt. Then add 15” to be on the safe side for turning corners and finishing.

**Edited** I cut my strips on the straight grain. Personally, I don’t see a reason to cut on the bias unless I’m going to be binding a curved edge. I think this actually makes for less frustration when it comes time to sew the binding onto the quilt top (no bias = less stretching under the foot/feeddogs.)

2. Starting with your first strip, wrong side of fabric facing up, fold the bottom corner of one strip up at an angle (as pictured) and lightly press. You only need to do this on one end of your strip of fabric. Repeat for all but one of your strips, working with the same end, pressing in the same direction, each time.

3. Open out a creased end of one of your strips and place perpendicular, right sides of fabric together, onto the end of a second strip of fabric that hasn’t been folded and pressed. The point of the crease should match up with the corner of the fabric below it and the side and top edge of top strip should match the edges of the strip below.

4. Pin in place with two pins towards the ends of your piece. Sew on crease, backstitching at each end.

5. Trim your piece to a 1/4” seam allowance. Press open your seams. Normally I don’t like to press seams open, but this will create less bulk for later when hand stitching down.

6. Fold your binding in half along the length and press as you go.

These last two steps are something new to me. It made the job of sewing my binding onto the quilt SO much easier. I read about this tip years ago in one of my quilting magazine and I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to give it a go.

7. Roll your binding up. I made it so my center had a very small opening.

8. Using a needle and thread, I threaded the roll of binding on to the thread and tied it. Then I slipped it around my neck. Now I’m ready to sew on my binding.

The next installment will follow when I bind my next quilt, as I stopped taking photos here. Since then I decided I’d like to redo my binding tutorials and break them down into smaller posts. I feel this will be less overwhelming to a beginner. Baby steps sometimes make things easier to tackle. Until next time!

thank you for the easy approach, binding is my least favorite thing to do in the quilting process and every simpler and easier way to do it is always appreciated and as you say for a buginer is not so overwhelming.

Thats exactly how I make my binding too! But… if I’m feeling exceptionally lazy, I’ll just sew them end to end instead of at a 90 degree angle.Either way works. And the NECKLACE – I am so going to try that!

What a great idea to keep it in a neat little roll! It’s funny how we put up with things ie big long strips trailing all over the place and sometimes even the floor (ewww!) and don’t think hmmm why am I not doing this smarter?! Your method is way more neat and clever. Thank you for sharing! Just in time for me to bind a quilt for my mom too.

I’d seen that tip about hanging the binding around the neck and decided to try it winding it around an old thread spool prior to ironing it in half. It was so much easier to iron it because it was corralled. When finished ironing I wound it back on the spool to have it ready to sew. Great tip.

Hello + Welcome

I’m Christina Lane, the Sometimes Crafter since 2008. I am a professional Longarm Quilter (est. 2005), pattern designer, quilting instructor, and co-author of Quilting Happiness. My days are spent at home working in my studio, homeschooling my son and taking care of our kitties ducks, goose and bees. Follow my daily adventures on Instagram @SometimesCraftr.